Killed by Inches

In allusion to divers ways of prolonging capital punishments in
olden times; e.g.: (1) The
“iron coffin of Lissa.” The prisoner was laid in the coffin, and saw
the iron lid creep slowly down with almost imperceptible movement—
slowly, silently, but surely; on, on it came with relentless march,
till, after lingering days and nights in suspense, the prisoner was at
last as slowly crushed by the iron lid pressing on him. (2) The “baiser
de la Vierge” of Baden-Baden. The prisoner, blindfolded and fastened
to a chain, was lowered by a windlass down a deep shaft from the top of
the castle into the very heart of the rock on which it stands. Here he
remained till he was conducted to the torture-chamber, and commanded
“to kiss” the brazen statute of the “Virgin” which stood at the end of
a passage; but immediately he raised his lips to give the kiss, down he
fell through a trap-door on a wheel with spikes, which was set in
motion by the fall. (3) The “iron cages of Louis XI.” were so contrived
that the victims might linger out for years; but whether they sat,
stood, or lay down, the position was equally uncomfortable. (4) The
“chambre à crucer” was a heavy chest, short, shallow, and lined with
sharp stones, in which the sufferer was packed and buried alive. (5)
The “bernicles” consisted of a mattress on which the victim was
fastened by the neck, while his legs were crushed between two logs of
wood, on the uppermost of which the torturer took his seat. This
process continued for several days, till the sufferer died with the
lingering torment. Many other modes of stretching out the torment of
death might easily be added. (See Iron Maiden.)